Along with the previous suicide attempts, reported in an Indian newspaper, members of Ms Saldanha’s family have revealed that the nurse was so ashamed after taking the hoax call earlier this month that she did not tell her husband or children about it before her death, despite speaking to them by phone several times.

Ms Saldanha was found dead at her living quarters at the King Edward VII’s Hospital in Central London on December 7.

Husband Benedict Barboza, centre, holds his son Junal, on his right, and daughter Lisha during the burial of nurse Jacintha Saldanha at her hometown Shirva, near Mangalore. Picture: AP

Three days earlier, Ms Saldanha was the duty nurse who answered the prank call from 2DayFM hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian, and transferred it to a colleague.

That nurse revealed confidential medical information about the pregnant Duchess, who was being treated at the hospital for acute morning sickness. The call was broadcast in Australia and made headlines around the world.

Yet the closest Ms Saldanha came to telling her husband she was at the centre of the story was when she told him to watch the news, claimed family members in her home town of Mangalore, southern India.

"The first her husband knew that she was the victim of the hoax call was when police told him she was dead. Nobody in the family knew," said her younger brother Naveen Saldanha, 42.

"They spoke several times that week but she did not tell him or the kids anything about it."

2Day FM DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig offer their sympathy over the death of London nurse Jacintha Saldanha who was the victim of their prank call about the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy. Picture: Channel 9

Ms Greig and Mr Christian could be charged with attempting to obtain medical details by deception. Further charges could be brought against Australian radio station 2Day FM if it is found to have broadcast the prank without the permission of the participants.

Although Ms Saldanha’s family have previously said she did not have a history of depression, new reports suggest she has been battling the condition since at least December last year.

That month, Ms Saldanha, her accountant husband Benedict Barboza, 49, their son Junal, 17, and adopted daughter Lisha, 14, attended a family wedding in Shirva, north of Mangalore.

But on December 30, just days after the devout Catholic family celebrated Christmas, Ms Saldanha is believed to have taken an overdose of pills. She was rushed to a private hospital in Mangalore, where she was treated for "self-harm".

Mourners have packed an Indian church for the funeral of Jacintha Saldanha who died after a 2Day FM prank.

On January 8 this year, she is believed to have attempted suicide again and was treated at Father Muller Medical College Hospital for head injuries suffered in a "fall".

She was kept in intensive care for several days and then admitted to the psychiatric ward of the hospital, where she was treated for depression. She was discharged three days later and given a nine-month course of anti-depressants. Her family was warned there was a risk that she may attempt suicide again.

Ms Saldanha’s medication would have finished in September. It is not known if she was prescribed any more or if staff at King Edward VII’s knew of her fragile condition.

Her brother, an engineer in Mangalore, said: "We didn’t know about the first incident, but we knew about the second incident at Father Muller.’"

He refused to give further details.

Jacintha Saldanha goes home: the casket containing the body of the nurse who killed herself after a 2DayFM radio hoax arrives at the airport in Mangalore, India, ahead of her funeral. Photo: AP/Rafiq Maqbool

Mr Saldanha said Jacintha spoke to her husband by telephone on the evening of the prank call, which was made at 5.30am on Tuesday, December 4, but did not tell him about her involvement. He added that she spoke to her husband and children twice the following day, but still did not reveal anything, though she told Mr Barboza to watch the news.

Mr Saldanha said he believes his sister did not tell her family in the UK or India about the hoax as she felt ashamed.

Mr Barboza became slightly concerned when his wife did not call on Thursday, December 6, but believed she was busy with nursing classes.

On Friday morning, he called a colleague of Ms Saldanha to check on his wife. Hours later, he was told of her death by officers from Avon and Somerset Police.

Last week, the body of Ms Saldanha was flown back to India and buried according to her wishes in the village of Shirva.

Fighting back tears, Mr Saldanha said: "I want justice for my sister. I want the British authorities to get the truth. My best memory of my sister was her kindness."

His wife, Zeena, 34, added: "She and the family were supposed to return to India for a holiday early next year. The last time we spoke to her was in November and she sounded so happy."

Last week, it was revealed how Ms Saldanha blamed the two DJs for her death in one of three apparent suicide notes. In another note, she criticised "aspects of the hospital staff".

A hospital spokesman declined to comment on reports that Ms Saldanha had previously tried to commit suicide.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

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